Ohio Blast 2023-2024 Tryouts!

[Mike Pauline]

The Ohio Blast Organization is excited to announce their tryout sessions for the 2023-2024 season, and we are looking forward to building on our continued success!! Last year, we had over 250 girls participate in our tryouts sessions, and are grateful to each and every one of them (and their families) for their interest and participation. We have 12 Blast teams competing in the current tournament season, with teams in the 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 16U, 18U and 23U divisions. Just as we are looking forward to our current season, we also look forward to the process of preparing for the 2023-2024 season. We will undoubtedly have teams in all age divisions again in 2023-2024. If you are new to travel ball, or an experienced player or coach looking for a change, we would love to meet you! To register for any of the sessions listed below, or to request a private tryout, please follow the Online Tryout Registration Link and complete the online registration. If you have any questions, please reach out to the manager or contact for your age division. Thank you, in advance, for your interest in The Ohio Blast

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

Ohio Blast managers thus far (or contacts) for the 2023-2024 season:

9U/10U Ashley Majors 724-678-5291.
11U Jason Schwarz 724-494-7938.
12U Pete Cipolla 724-709-0330.
12U Pat Buckley 330-303-3377.
13U Chelsea Razo 330-716-4200.
14U Joe Bettura 330-720-3248.
14U Dave Antuono 724-651-2734.
15U Chris Cherne 330-314-2470.
16U Rhonda Koblek 724-650-1190.
23 & Under Jim Buxton 724-674-4187.

Please arrive about 30 - 45 minutes prior to the start of your scheduled session for registration and warm-ups.

Pitchers and catchers may be asked to stay slightly longer.
Please be sure to bring all your gear and wear long pants, sliding shorts, and spikes.
Also be sure to bring plenty of water!

Session 1 – All age divisions - COMPLETE.
Tuesday July 18th, 2023: Boardman Field of Dreams. (BOARDMAN, OH)
Fields S1, M1, M2, and M3
410 McClurg Rd, Boardman, OH 44512.
Times – 5pm - ???

In the event of a weather cancellation on Tuesday July 18th, the session will simply move to Tuesday July 25th. Same location, same time.

Session 2 - All age divisions for now - COMPLETE.
Thursday July 20th, 2023: Eaton Fields. (BEAVER, PA)
Fields 1, 2 and 3
900 Georgetown Lane, Beaver, PA 15009.
Times – 5pm - ???

In the event of a weather cancellation on Thursday July 20th, those who registered for this session can move to either Tuesday July 25th in Boardman, OH or Thursday July 27th in New Castle, PA - same time.

Session 3 – All age divisions - COMPLETE.
Tuesday July 25th, 2023: Boardman Field of Dreams. (BOARDMAN, OH)
Fields S2, M1, M2, and M3
410 McClurg Rd, Boardman, OH 44512.
Times – 5pm - ???

In the event of a weather cancellation on Tuesday July 25th, the session will simply move to Wednesday July 26th. Same location, same time.

Session 4 - All age divisions for now - COMPLETE.
Thursday July 27th, 2023: Pearson Park. (NEW CASTLE, PA)
3131 Mercer Rd
New Castle, PA 16105
Times – 5pm - ???

In the event of a weather cancellation on Thursday July 27th, the session will simply move to Tuesday August 1st. Same location, same time.

Please keep checking back for changes or additions! We are looking forward to seeing everyone at tryouts!

The Ohio Blast!

 

[Mike Pauline]

As most of you are already aware, for 2024, USA Softball is changing the date used to calculate their age of eligibility for each division. In years past, the date used to calculate eligibility was Jan 1. Meaning, whatever age you are on or before 12/31/23 - is the age division you are eligible to play in the 2024 season. Beginning next year (2024 season), they will begin using Sept 1 to calculate their age of eligibility. Meaning, whatever age you are on or before 8/31/23 - is the age division you are eligible to play in the 2024 season.

So if a player was born on 11/24/06, under the previous Jan 1 date of eligibility, the player would need to play in the 18U division next year - as they would be 17 years old on 12/31/23. Under the new Sept 1 date of eligibility, the player could still play in the 16U division next year - as they would still only be 16 years old on 8/31/23.

We are still waiting to hear what USSSA softball is going to do. They are currently using the Jan 1 date to calculate eligibility, but they are reviewing the process and will make a decision soon - on whether or not they will change the date used to calculate eligibility to Sept 1 instead.

Stay tuned, as some of our listed manages for 2023-2024 may need tweaked to adjust for eligibility changes.

 

[Mike Pauline]

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

When registering online, remember to "Finalize" your registration! When you finalize your registration, an email with your registration is automatically sent to our managers!

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: Is their any more detailed player or pitcher information needed?
A: Yes. Please follow the link below and complete the online tryout registration form. We have rolled all player profile and pitcher profile information into the online form to save time and eliminate paper forms at our tryout sessions.

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

As of today, USA softball is still the only one changing their age calculation date. USSSA is staying put for now. That doesn't leave much of a choice for players or teams unless they are planning on only playing in USA tournaments, or unsanctioned tournaments that are going to follow the new age calculation date. Realistically, we don't see too many teams changing their plan of thinking and following the new age calculation date, unless other governing bodies follow suit and change their age calculation date as well.

 

[SoftballDad07/09]

Is there going to be a dedicated 07 team for 2023/2024 season?

 

[Mike Pauline]

Is there going to be a dedicated 07 team for 2023/2024 season?

Hello - It would all depend on the amount of '07 players that tryout or if we had a coach and a group of '07's from another organization that were looking to make a change.

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: "I submitted my daughter's tryout registration, but did not receive an email acknowledging her registration?"
A: After submitting your registration, it brings you to a summary screen where you can enter another registration if you have another daughter or player to register. Once you review the summary, and have no other players to register, you must click on "Finalize" your registration. An email will then be sent to the email address you entered, as well as our managers.

If you did not receive an email, you probably just forgot to finalize the registration! Send a text to 330.509.9248 with your information and I can verify for you. Please don't register a second time, as it will result it a duplicate database entry!

 

[Mike Pauline]

We would like to Welcome Anthony Bruno, as the 8U manager for the 2023-2024 season!

 

[Mike Pauline]

When registering online, remember to "Finalize" your registration! When you finalize your registration, an email with your registration is automatically sent to our managers!

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: Is it OK if you register your daughter for more than 1 tryout session?
A: Yes! Absolutely! It may actually be beneficial for her to tryout and see different players and different caliber players.
Additionally, if you feel she had a sub-par tryout the first time around, you may feel she needs an additional one - that may better represent her abilities.

 

[Mike Pauline]

When registering online, remember to "Finalize" your registration! When you finalize your registration, an email with your registration is automatically sent to our managers!

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: "Will you only be taking a certain amount of tryout registrations for each session?"
A: No, we should have plenty of room at each session, utilizing multiple fields at each location.

We are really appreciative and excited for the amount of online registrations already, and looking forward to meeting meeting everyone! Thank you, in advance, for the opportunity to build on our continued success!

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: If my daughter is a pitcher, will we be required to have someone there to catch her for any portion of the tryouts?
A: Yes. We have several pitchers trying out and will need Dad or Mom on hand to warm them up and perhaps call her pitches during warmups!

 

[Mike Pauline]

We would like to Welcome Anthony Danko, as the 9U manager for the 2023-2024 season!

 

[Mike Pauline]

When registering online, remember to "Finalize" your registration! When you finalize your registration, an email with your registration is automatically sent to our managers!

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: Will individual team (age specific) tryouts be posted under this discussion thread?
A: Each manager may schedule and post their own team or private tryouts as well, outside of the scheduled Blast organization tryouts.
We encourage everyone to reach out to the manager or contact listed for their age group to inquire about additional team or private tryouts!

 

[Mike Pauline]

When registering online, remember to "Finalize" your registration! When you finalize your registration, an email with your registration is automatically sent to our managers!

Online Tryout Registration Link:
https://www.leaguelineup.com/formpreview.asp?url=ohio_blast&formid=184938

 

[Mike Pauline]

Q: Which field numbers should we report to for tryouts?
A: For Boardman location, please report near the concession stands to sign-in. You will then be assigned a number to wear throughout the tryout.
We will have field assignments listed at sign-in.